Bliss Kiss

Effects of Water Part 1
Most substances do not pe*****te the plate at all or may only pe*****te a few of the upper most layers. Water, however, can pe*****te quickly, filling up spaces between the layers. Also, keratin is water-loving (hydrophilic). Even though water can pe*****te relatively quickly, its progress is slowed by the lipid layer that surrounds the nail keratinocytes which prevents oversaturation that could weaken the plate too much. Under certain conditions, the water content of the nail plate ranges from 10% to 30%, depending on external factors like humidity, nail plate condition, and surface oils, which repel water (hydrophobic). Cracked or damaged nail plates can absorb and lose water more quickly from the surface, compared to healthy, intact nail plates. Also, keeping the nail unit well treated with a good quality nail oil can seal the upper surtace to prevent both excessive water loss and excessive water absorption. Alternatively, the moisture content of naturally dry plates can be increased by using nail products containing "humectants" such as glycerin or urea. Humectants absorb moisture and hold on to it, so such ingredients can also help dry, or damaged nail plates retain water and keep the moisture content better regulated.”

Doug Schoon, author of Advanced Chemistry Of Nails

Below is a copy and paste from a post by Doug Schoon. I haven’t changed any of the words. Below that is a link to the post.
I remember buying a product that balanced Ph in nails. I remember reading an article saying to use Apple cider vinegar to balance ph. Well, I just found out from this article that nails don’t have a ph.

From Doug Schoon:

”Nail Plate pH: What's Real and What's Just Marketing?
I hear a lot of misinformation about the nail plate, such as claims that the pH of the nail surface is between 4.5 and 5.5, and that a pH balancer is needed to return the nail plate to its optimal acidity level after the cleansing step to ensure good adhesion. That's a marketing claim made to sound scientific, but it's actually nonsense.

pH is a property of water-based solutions, not solids. The nail plate is a solid keratin structure and has no pH in any meaningful sense. The 4.5 to 5.5 figure is a skin surface measurement produced by sweat. The nail plate has no sweat glands and no skin-like "acid mantle", so this is the skin's pH, not the nail plate's.

Yes, nail surface pH has been measured in research settings, but what the laboratory instrument actually measures is the pH of the water sitting on the surface, not the plate itself. That kind of measurement requires specialized laboratory instruments and careful technique. It can’t be done accurately in a salon, so if you apply a "balancer" at the table there is no way to know if anything has been correcting or changed.

There is nothing to rebalance. Nail cleansers and dehydrators are typically isopropyl alcohol or acetone. Neither is alkaline, so neither leaves the surface in an alkaline state requiring correction. The premise assumes a problem the cleansing step doesn't create.

What about hand washing or soaking? Some argue that washing or soaking leaves the nail plate alkaline and that a balancer is needed to undo it. True soaps are alkaline, so a soap or cleaner residue left sitting on the surface would be alkaline while it's there. But it isn't there.

Rinsing removes it; towel drying removes even more. Then the alcohol or acetone wipe that follows removes what's left. Anything the soap or cleaners did to the surface is gone before the primer or gel ever touches the nail. Many salon hand washes aren't even alkaline; plenty of liquid cleansers are formulated close to neutral or slightly acidic for the skin’s sake.

The nail plate holds its own balance. Keratin is loaded with amino acid side chains that resist shifts in acidity, so the plate doesn't need any help maintaining its normal state. Also, nail adhesion doesn't work this way. It depends on a clean, dry, oil-free surface and proper contact.

Yes, methacrylic acid primers are acidic, but their acidity is not why they work. They act as coupling agents, chemically bridging the nail plate and the coating so the two hold together.

I'm not aware of any published scientific data demonstrating that a pH balancing step improves adhesion or retention. Until someone produces that evidence, this is just a marketing ploy to sell products that are not useful or needed, dressing up the claim with scientific sounding terms. Don't be fooled.”

Here is the link to Doug Schoon’s post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02G5wWP2wFBV9zbYhfhR2w3WtQjpfys18Zso7Z8marSTx4fMpuYf7hYrFJsPsd5Rpzl&id=100069739759798&mibextid=wwXIfr

Hello Blissettes! Are you, like I, a nail nerd that loves to learn facts about nails? Then you’ll love this article about how your nails growl and if you can make your nails grow thicker.
http://www.nailcarehq.com/nail-growth-how-do-fingernails-grow

Question Of The Day-Juice or Water?
I only drink water. I stopped drinking anything else decades ago. How about you? Do you drink juice or water?

What is your favorite file? I love the nano file for most everything. My nails are thin and demand to be treated like delicate princess (I borrowed that phrase from Donna B. Thank you, Donna!) Sometimes I do like a really thin regular file. Is your file the best for your nails?
http://www.nailcarehq.com/nail-files-which-is-best-for-you/

Question Of The Day. Introvert or Extrovert?
I am an introvert that talks a lot. 😂. I have a very hard time making the first move, I feel uncomfortable in new place’s and often feel uncomfortable with people I don’t know. How about you?

Not only do nails not need to take a break from polish, but taking a break can lead to a break. Polish supports the nail, like wearing a brace on a wrist. My nails break very easily and when they are naked is because I’m doing a warm oil soak.
This wonderful article has all the details!

http://www.nailcarehq.com/do-nails-breathe/